Code selective device



Nov. 8, 1949 H. A. STHCKEL CODE SELECTIVE DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l JNVENTOR. Harold A. Sf/cke/ Affy Nov. 8, 1949 H. A. STICKEL CODE SELECTIVE DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3.

INVENTOR. Harold A Sf/cke/ Aff'y Nov. 8, 1949 A. A. STICKEL 2,487 678 CODE SELECTIVE DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1945 a Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Harold A. Sf/ake/ QEL AQMWU Afr'y Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to a code selective device, actuated by the frequency and duration of an A. C. current.

The principal object oi this invention is to produce a device wherein a predetermined code, when transmitted over an electric circuit, will produce a predetermined result at a desired point and at that point only, as for instance, to close an electric circuit so as to give an audible or visible signal.

A further object of this invention is to produce a device which may be attached to and become a part of any standard system, as for instance, a telephone system, and particularly a party line in the country, wherein a pluralit of telephones are all connected together and when one bell rings all bells on the line ring, unless some selective arrangement permits the ringing of one particular bell in the system.

A further object of this inventon is to produce a device which will not interfere in any way with the normal operation of the system to which it is connected.

A further object is to produce a device which is economical to produce and install.

A further object is to produce a device which is automatic in its operation and one that will reset itself at the end of the signaling operation.

A still further object is to produce a device which may also be used in the closing of a particular contact selected from a plurality of contacts located in a single circuit and at a remote point.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and n which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. l is a top plan view of my device.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of Fig. 1, looking from the right of the drawing.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the wind ng arrangement, and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the general arrangement of parts as to their operation.

There are circuits having located at various points along the line a certain mechanism to be operated, as for instance, the individual bells of a party line telephone circuit, and it would be of considerable advantage if these bells could be selectively operated.

At the present time all of the bells in the party-line will ring at the same time, which becomes annoying, inasmuch as it is necessary for each person hearing the bell to stop and listen, endeavoring to ascertain if it is the particular signal belonging to that telephone, and if not certain, then it becomes necessary for such party to proceed to the telephone to answer the bell, thus interrupting any conversation which has already been started.

I have, therefore, provided a mechanism to be attached to a telephone line in such a manner so that when a particular number of impulses come over the line at a given frequency and of a given duration, then and only then will the part cular bell be rung, corresponding to the code set up for that particular bell.

In order to simplify the description I have shown in Fig. 5 a diagrammatc view from which it will be possible to follow the operation of the device through its various steps. The numerals which are applied to Fig. 5 correspond to the same parts in the other views; however, the appearance of the parts may not appear to be the same as far as shape is concerned, but their function is identical.

Essentially, the selector of my device cons sts of three parts, namely a motor, a winding mechanism and a code wheel. The motor mechanism comprises a pair of electro magnets and a pair of movable armatures which are actuated thereby when an impulse comes over the line. The winding mechanism comprises a means for winding a chain or cord about the hub of the winding mechanism in order to transmit motion to a code wheel. The code wheel conssts of a rotatable disc having a plurality of notches formed in the edge thereof, which notches are spaced apart a predetermined distance, which distances may vary.

The motor is actuated by a pair of electromagnets 5 and 6. which are energived by a source of incoming A. C. current such as ZO-cycle telephone ringing curren a though the invention is not limited to current of this frequency. These electro-magnets serve to actuate a pair of armatures. as shown at l and 8, the armat re I bein polarized by the permanent magnet Hi. As the magnets are energized the armature 1 will be vibrated about the axis of the shaft 9 in synchronism with the A. C. current applied to the electromagnets, due to the fact that the armature 1 is polarized. When the electric current energizes the electromagnets 5 and 6 they assume opposite magnetic polarities and one magnet attracts one end of the armature 1 while the other magnet repels the other end of the armature;

when the current reverses the polarities of the electromagnets are reversed and the end of the armature which was pulled up is repelled, while the end which was previously repelled is now pulled up. This results in a rocking motion which is in synchronism with the A. C. current. The armature 8 does not oscillate but will be moved on its pivot toward the pole of one of the magnets to actuate the clutch arms into engagement with the winding disc, 26, as will be later described.

The armature l is secured to a horizontal shaft 9, journalled at its ends while the armature 8? is pivoted about a vertical axis, as shown at It, the armature 8 being connected through linkage comprising a red I 2, a shaft I 3 extending'through the rod, and a spring iii to a link 14 supporting a pair of V-rods l4, which in turn support the ends of clutch arms l and H, the purpose of: Whichwill be later seen.

The view shown in Fig.4 is the winding mechanism, and it willbe noted that the armature 1. is connected to a pivoted shaft 9, and that the shaft is provided with a horizontally offset crank.

l8, to which is connected an upstanding lever l9, from which extends a pin 2|, the purpose of which will be later seen.

Straddling the crank I8 is a. T-shaped yoke 22', which is vibrated up and down when the armature I vibrates and actuates the crank [8. The yoke 22 is urged downwardly toward the crankv I8 by a spring 22. The arms 23 and 24 of the T-shaped yoke have pivoted thereto clutch arms- I6 and. H respectively, and these clutch arms have their ends slotted so as to engage the edge of the winding disc 26, this. winding disc having a. hub 2.1., (see Fig. 1),. upon. which a chain 28 may be wound. This winding disc 26 is mounted upon a spindle 29, which is free to rotate in:

either direction.

As long as the arms IE and 11 are held in their horizontal positions shown in the drawings by the V-rods M the winding disc 26 is free to slide between the edges of the slotsin the arms" in either direction. Whenv the linkage 12,. I3 and I3 is actuated as described hereinafter to urge the link i l" to the right (as seen in Fig; 4), the" of the arm l! is pulled downward by the actionof the yoke 22, it carries the engaged portion of the disc with it, causing clockwise rotation of the disc. During this downward motion the entire arm I! descends substantially in translatory motion because the engagement of the slot edges with the disc prevents further pivotal action, as was explained above. The disc is, however, at all. times able to move clockwise with respect to the arm because such movement would tend to restore the. arm toward its horizontal position, thereby unlocking the arm; the spring I3 is made suiiiciently weak to prevent such unlocking. Hence, when the rear end of the arm ll is again lifted by the upward movement of the yoke 22 it. slides freely along the faces of the disc, the" forward. end. being urged upwardly by the V-rod'; so that again the entire arm ll ascends substantially in translatory motion. The action of the arm [6 is similar, but this arm is locked to the disc when its forward end is depressed by the left V-rod, and advances the disc in a clockwise direction during the upward movement of the yoke 22. Hence, the power strokes of the arms Iii and I! are out of phase by half a cycle.

The result of the structure thus far described is that when the armature 8 moves against its pole-piece, the linkage rod l2 will. swing to the right, compressing the spring [3. This will urge the link l4 to the right, causing the V-rods l4 and the link M to move in a counter-clockwise direction about the axis of the spindle 29, thus raising the clutch I! and lowering the clutch I6,

. which will cause the slotted portions to grip the Winding disc 26. At the same time the armature "I will be vibrating, thus causing an up and down movement of the crank l8 and the yoke 22. This up and down movement will be transmitted to the clutches l6 and H, and as the clutches only grip the rim of the disc as they move in one. direction and slide as they move in the opposite direction, rotation will be imparted to the disc 26, causing'it to rotate in a clockwise direction on its spindle29.

The winding disc will be advanced a smallbut definite angular distance during each upward or downward movement of' the yoke 22'. Hence, the distance that the chain 28 is movedis proportional to the number of alternations in the A. C. current applied to the electro-magnets. When current of a given frequency is applied, the extent of themovement of this chain is proportional to the duration of the impulse but, of course, the same extent of movement can be attained by using, for example, current of a higher frequency applied for a shorter time. In moving to the right (as seenin Fig; 5)- the chain pullsthe lever 32, pivotally mounted at 30, against the action of a spring 3|.

When the current ceases the armature. 8- is released from the pole-piece and the linkage rod I2 is permitted to swing away from the link M, which thereupon moves clockwise about the axis of the spindle 29, the heads on the ends of. the shaft l3 being in engagement with the rod l2 and the link I 3. This clockwise movement, in turn, swings the V-rods I 4' to raise the arm l6 and lower the arm H, i. e., to unlock both arms from the winding disc and permit free rotation of the latter. The above-described movement permits the spring 3| to pull the lever 32 to its starting position, causing the chain 28 and the disc 26 also to return to their starting positions.

When the chain 28 is being wound on the hub of the winding disc 26 during the application of A. C. current to the electromagnets, the nose 33 on the arm 34 swings about the pivot to enter one of the notches 36 of the code Wheel 3'1, and it is to be here noted that the arm 34 is pivoted at 34" upon a link. 35, which arrangement allows for lost motion when the winding mechanism moves the armbeyond a predetermined distance. The lost motion arrangement functions as follows: The spring 32. pivots the arm 36 into engagement against the periphery of the code disc 31 and also urges the arm. to move to the right when the lever 32 moves. When the set screw 59 engages the fixed support 40 the l'nk rotates with respect to the lever 32 about its pivot 35', thereby moving the pivot. 34" away from the code wheel 3! and preventing the nose 33 from further advancing the wheel. Hence, the set screw 40 can be adjusted to regulate the max imum distance that the code wheel 31 will be advanced by any one impulse transmitted to the electromagnets.

The code wheel 31 is also provided with notches 38 and 39 which, in the present instance, are shown fairly equally spaced apart as the notches 36 and 38. A further notch 4| is spaced at greater distance from the notch 39, and a slot 42 is cut in the code wheel as are also ratchet teeth 43, which serve to prevent retrograde movement of the code wheel against the tension of a spring 45 when engaged by the nose 44 of a latch mechanism 46.

Now assuming that current is coming over a line, of the proper frequency and duration to operate this particular device, the winding mechanism in actuating will first cause the chain 28 to pull the lever 32, causing the nose 33 of the arm 34 to engage the notch 36 and move the code wheel 31 counter-clockwise a predetermined distance. When the current stops the spring 3| will function to return the winding mechanism to normal or starting position.

On the second impulse the nose 33 will engage the notch 38 and the same operation will take place. On the next impulse the nose 33 will engage the notch 39 and again the same operation will follow. The next impulse will be of longer duration and will move the code wheel a greater distance and sufficiently to bring the notch 4| opposite to the end of the spring 49. The fourth and final impulse is of considerable duration, sufiicient to cause the final selection, the ringing of the bell and the resetting of the selector. On this final or extra long impulse the nose 33 engages the notch 4| and moves the code wheel to bring the slot 42 into alignment with the pin 41, carried upon a lever 48, the purpose of which will be later seen.

The operation just described covers the operation when a proper code signal comes over the line for this particular code wheel, 1. e., when impulses of proper durations are transmitted; however, when a different signal comes over the line, the code wheel will be moved a different distance which will result in one of the notches coming to rest so that it is bridged by the spring 49, and consequently on the next actuation of the arm 34, the nose will not be able to enter the notch in the code wheel, but will ride upon the spring 49, and consequently the code wheel will not be further moved.

In operating the device the lengths of the impulses are such that the nose 33 will advance the code wheel a distance equal to the distance to the succeeding notch on the code wheel, so as to bring the next notch approximately opposite the end of the spring 49 and to permit the code wheel to be further advanced during the following impulse. The set screw 40 is so adjusted that the maximum distance that the code wheel can be advanced by any one impulse is limited. The code wheel can, obviously, be constructed for any desired code. The particular code wheel illustrated is constructed to respond to a cod-e mes sage of two short and one long impulses, corresponding to the International Morse code letter U. It will be noted that after, and only after this code has been transmitted, will the notch 4| be in a position to receive the nose 33 to permit the code wheel to be advanced during the final, extra long impulse, which is the same for all code signals.

When the slot 42 is in alignment with the pin 41 it will be at a time when a long current impulse is coming over the line, and consequently the winding mechanism has moved the lever 32 a-greater distance than normally and will place a tension on the spring 5|, which will act upon a pull-rod 52, to overcome the tension of the spring 53 so that the lever 48 may drop, and in so doing will move it away from a stop 54. This will lower a stop 56 on the free end of the lever 48, which will permit a pivoted arm 51 to have its slot 58 engage the pin 2| on the end of the upstanding lever [9 which is vibrating clue to its connection to the crank I8. This vibration will be transmitted to a clapper 59 which will engage the bells 6| and 62, thus producing an audible signal.

The extra long current impulse and consequent movement of the winding disc 26 will move a notch 63 into engagement with the hooked end 34 of a rod 66 attached to the latch mechanism 46, thus unlocking the nose 44 from the ratchet teeth 43; therefore, when the current ceases the code wheel 31 will be free to return to starting position through the action of the spring 45, and in so doing, a pin 61 will engage the latch mechanism to again move the nose 44 against the ratchet teeth 43.

The engagement of the hooked end 64 with the notch 63 will prevent further rotation of the winding disc. Injury to the yoke 22 and the arms l6 and I1 is avoided during the continued oscillation of the armature 1 because the spring 22' permits the yoke to remain in its upper position, in which it is held by the arms which are locked to the winding disc. As a result the yoke 22 no longer reciprocates vertically with the crank I8.

The extra long impulse will, of course, be re ceived also by stations having code wheels which do not correspond to the three code impulses described above, and in which the pin 41 has not entered the slot 42. However, also in such stations the hooked end 64 of the rod 56 will be engaged by the winding disc in the manner described above, causing the nose 44 to be unlocked from the ratchet teeth to restore the code wheel to its normal or starting position. The selector will, therefore, be restored to its starting position at the termination of an extra long impulse regardless of whether the proper code message was previously transmitted. When the correct code was previously completed and the pin 41 has entered the slot 42, the lever 48 is again moved upwardly against the stop 54 at the termination of the extra long impulse, which may be prolonged for any desired period, by the action of the spring 53 when the lever 32 moves toward its starting position and releases its tension on the spring 5|.

A spring 68 is so attached to the latch mechanism that it is directly in line with the pivot 39 of the latch mechanism in such a manner that it will hold the latch either open or in contact with the code wheel. A cam may be formed upon the code wheel for the purpose of closing auxiliary contacts if desired. It is to be here noted that all code signals terminate in an extra long impulse for the purpose of resetting the entire mechanism to starting position. The result of this construction is that when impulses of a predetermined frequency and duration are received, a motor mechanism actuates a winding mechanism, which in turn intermittently actuates a code disc, thereby efiecting a circuit closing or signaling. 4

Each time that the current ceases the armaassua e '2 time 8 releases. which. in turn. moves; the linkage. 13 and the-V-rods release the clutches from thewinding disc 26,. which permits. the spring- 31. to.

function thusi setting the winding mechanism in readiness; for the nextw-inding, operation.

It-is-to be understood; that therform. of my invention. herewith shown and. described. is to be talcem as aprefierred example; of the same and that: various changes relative to the material, size, shape.- and arrangement of parts may he resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or: the scope of. the subjoined claims; The motor per se,. comprising the clutch arms l6. and [=1 and: the disc 26, is: claimed in my copending application Ser. No. 718,355,, filed December 26, 1946.

Having thus described my: invention, I claim:

1 Ina selective signal device adapted to be connected. to: an electric circuit, a motor powered by said circuit, signal means actuated by said: motor, interfering means normally preventing; actuation of said signal means bysaid motor, selector means for" rendering said interfering means inoperative upon being; advanced successively a series; of distances of different lengths and in a sequence in accordance with a predeterminedcode, andmeans including said motor for advancing said. selector means during such periods as electrical energy is applied. to said circuit. through successive distances proportional to said periods.

2. In a selective signal device adapted to be connected, to an electric circuit, signal means powered by said circuit, interfering means normally preventing actuation of said signal means, selector means for rendering said interfering means inoperative upon being advanced successively a. series of distances of diiTerent. lengths and. in a sequence in. accordancewith a predetermined code; and a synchronous motor operable by low frequency alternating current in said circuit connected to said selector for advancing said selector means substantially continuously during: such. periods as low frequency alternating current is applied tosaid circuit.

3'. In a. code selective device, an. electro-magnetic motor having an armature adapted. to reciprocate insynchronism with alternating current applied to the motor, a driven disc, means for advancing said disc a distance proportional to the number of reciprocations of. said armatu-re; means for returning said driven discto a starting position when said alternating current ceases, a code wheel having code devices thereon spaced at varying angular intervals, a reciprocable element connected to said driven disc andv arranged to engage said code devices successively and advance the code wheel progressively a succession of angular distances, each of said angular distances being proportional to the distance that. said disc is advanced.

4-. In a selective. signal device adapted to be connected to an electric circuit, signal means powered. by said circuit; interfering means nor;- mally preventing actuation of. said signalmeans, selectorv means responsive only to a series of electrical alternating current impulses in said cirunit. of diiferent total alternations. in each impulse andv in a sequence in accordance. with a predetermined code for rendering said interfer ing means inoperative.

5- In a selective signal device adapted to be connected to? an. electric circuit, signal; means powered by said circuit, interfering means nor-- mally preventing, actuation of: said signal means,

selector means for. rendering said interfering, means inoperative upon. being advanced a series. of distances of different lengths and inv a. sequence in accordance. with. a predetermined code. and means responsive to electrical impulses. in said circuit for advancing. said selector succes.- sively during such periods. as. electrical energy isapplied to said circuit through successive. dis.- tances proportional to. said. periods.

6. In a selectivev signal device adapted to. be connected to an electric circuit, signal means powered by said circuit, interfering. means, normally preventing actuation of said signal means, selector means for rendering said interfering means inoperative upon being advanced a series. of distances, of predetermined lengths and in. a. sequence in accordance with a predetermined. code; and means powered by said circuit for. ad.-- vancing said selector. means successively during; such periods as electrical alternating current is. applied to. said circuit through distances proportional tothe total alternations during. said. periods.

7. Ina code selective device, a codev plate. having code notches thereon,. a reciprocable driving mechanism engageable. with said notches for. ad.- vancing the code plate, a controlled. mechanism actuated in response to movement. of. said code; plate to. a predetermined position, an electromagnetic motor having' a pair of. armatures, one of said armatures being detachably connected toadvance said driving mechanism substantiallycontinuously while alternating current isapplied to the. electro-magnetic motor, andv the other of said armatures being connected toconnect said:

first armature to said driving mechanism when; electric current. is applied and to release the driv ing mechanism from said first armature upon: cessation of the electric current, and means for retracting said driving mechanism to. av starting position when released from said first armature.

8. In a code selective device, the combination; with an apparatus to. be actuated, of a code wheel. having code notches formed in the: periphery thereof, means engageable' with: said code Wheel;

for controlling said apparatus in accordance with the position of said code wheel, a movable armarrangedfor successively engaging said notches to; cause rotation of said code wheel, a driving mechanism for said arm, electro-magnetic means for actuating said driving mechanism, said electromagnetic means being arranged to advance said drivingmechanism substantially continuously while alternating current is applied to said elec tro-magnetic means for a distance proportionalto the total number of alternations of said cur-'- rent, and to permit retrograde movement of said. driving mechanism upon cessation of said alter nating current, and means for returning said code.- wheel to its starting position when the. driving mechanism is advanced by a current impulse of extra long' duration.

9. In a code selective device, the combination of a movably mounted code plate provided with code notches spaced along the plate, a reciprocableengaging element arranged to engage saidnotches: successively and advance the plate, a controlledmechanism actuated in response to movement or said code plate to apredetermined position, a. driving element connected to said. reciprocable. engaging element, an electro-magnet having a. pair of armatures, a reciprocable clutch c0n.-- nected to one of said armatures and arranged to advance said driving mechanism progressively in one, direction during the reciprocation. of said armature and clutch, and a linkage connecting said clutch to the other of said armatures so as to urge said clutch into engaging position when the latter armature is attracted and to release said clutch when said latter armature is released.

10. In a code selective device, the combination of a movably mounted code plate provided with code notches spaced along the plate, a movable engaging arm reciprocably mounted and arranged to engage said code notches successively and advance the plate, a controlled mechanism actuated in response to movement of said code plate to a predetermined position, flexible means for reciprocating said engaging arm including a winding mechanism and a lost motion arrangement, means urging said code plate to a starting position, a latch mechanism for preventing retrograde movement of the plate toward its starting position after being advanced, means interconnecting the latch and the flexible means for re- U leasing the latch when the winding mechanism is wound beyond a predetermined point, and electro-magnetic means responsive to the frequency and duration of a current impulse for driving said winding mechanism a distance proportional to the frequency and duration of said current impulse.

11. In a selective signal device adapted to be connected to an electric circuit, signal means powered by said circuit, interfering means normally preventing actuation of said signal means, selector means for rendering said interfering means inoperative upon being advanced a series of distances of predetermined lengths and in a sequence in accordance with a predetermined code, and means powered by said circuit for advancing said selector means a succession of variable distances in response to electrical impulses in said circuit.

12. In a selective signal device adapted to be connected to an electric circuit, a motor powered by said circuit, signal means actuated by said motor, interfering means normally preventing actuation of said signal means by said motor, selector means for rendering said interfering means inoperative upon being advanced successivel a series of distances of predetermined lengths and in a sequence in accordance with a predetermined code, and means including said motor for advancing said selector means during such periods as electrical energy is applied to said circuit through successive distances proportional to said periods.

13. In a selective signal device adapted to be connected to an electric circuit, signal means powered by said circuit, interfering means normally preventing actuation of said signal means, selector means for rendering said interfering means inoperative upon being advanced successively a series of distances of predetermined lengths and in a sequence in accordance with a predetermined code, and a synchronous motor operable by low frequency alternating current in said circuit connected to said selector for advancing said selector means ubstantially continuously during such periods as low frequency alternating current is applied to said circuit.

HAROLD A. STICKEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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